IdeaFest2015

Ideas that change everything

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From IdeaFest 2014: A snapshot of some of the student researchers from yesterday’s JCURA event #ideafest.

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From IdeaFest 2014: Take a campus tour of Aboriginal artwork at the University of Victoria led by Butch Dick, master carver from the Songhees First Nation and Dr. Carmen Rodriguez de France from the Department of Indigenous Education.

Your guides will share perspectives on how UVic faculty have worked in partnership and continue to engage in respectful relationships with our Aboriginal communities.

Aboriginal Art Walk l March 5 l 10:30-11:30am l tour begins outside the David Lam Auditorium in the MacLaurin Building

(Photo: Detail of Welcome Post - Traditional Coast Salish Man carved by Coast Salish artist Doug LaFortune)

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From IdeaFest 2014: Is science more powerful than philosophy? The study of science and the humanities are often viewed as very different ways of understanding our lives. Is one of them “better” than the other?

Can science enhance our understanding of love or a great work of art? Can a humanist add to our understanding of climate change? UVic debaters will present their views about who is better equipped to understand the complexities of human nature and the natural world: Scientists or Humanists?

Moderator: Dr. John Archibald, Dean of Humanities

Debators: Dr. Cedric Littlewood (Greek and Roman Studies) Dr. Tim Iles (Pacific and Asian Studies) Dr. Sonya Bird (Linguistics) and Dr. Audrey Yap (Philosophy)

Scientists vs Humanists:Two solitudes? March 6 @ 3:00pm in the David Strong Building, C103

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From IdeaFest 2014: On March 6, come meet UVic’s brightest minds as over 40 graduate student researchers present their latest findings in bio-medical research, including advances in stroke rehabilitation, stem cell research, alternative therapies for emotional disorders and emergent uses of genome sequencing.

This is a pecha-kucha style event- so expect a fast paced and engaging series of presentations. Students are representing the labs of Leigh Anne Swayne, E. Paul Zehr, Jeremy Wulff, Fraser Hof, Brian Christie, Craig Brown, Stephanie Willerth, Clay Holroyd, Bob Chow, Patrick Walters, Caroline Cameron, Perry Howard, Caren Helbing, Alisdair Boraston, Francis Nano, Tom Fyles, Francis Choy, Laura Arbour, Terry Pearson and Ben Koop.

Participating Uvic departments include Biology, Biochemistry/Microbiology, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, Computer Science, Psychology, Division of Medical Sciences, and the School of Exercise Science, and Physical & Health Education.

3:00-4:30pm – PechaKucha style presentations highlighting the latest in UVic biomedical research

4:30-6:30pm – Poster session featuring over 40 researchers; refreshments and snacks will be served

PechaKucha Biomedica and Poster Social l March 6 l 3:00-6:30pm l Bob Wright Centre B150

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How can computers be used to solve complicated, previously unsolvable, scientific problems? And, what are the best sources of renewable energy and how can we develop the technologies to make best use of these? Join us at IdeaFest for two eye-opening talks that explore these questions and present ground-breaking research in chemistry. At 2:30 PM, Uvic Professor Irina Paci will talk about pioneering the world of doing chemistry inside a computer, where scientists are employing computer modeling programs to help predict complex chemical reactions. At 3:30PM Uvic Professor Natia Frank will present on the promise and challenges of solar cells and renewable energy technologies. This is event is organized by UVic’s Department of Chemistry. Innovations in chemistry: Renewable energy technologies & computer modeling of chemical reactions, March 7 @ 2:30pm Bob Wright Centre (BWC) A104

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#Ideafest boasts two exceptional events on health and wellness issues for Aboriginal people. On March 3rd the Uvic Centre on Aging and Centre for Aboriginal Health are leading a “Café Scientifique” panel on healthy aging initiatives and fall and fire prevention strategies for older Aboriginal people. Panelists include Dr. Vicky Scott from the BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit and Dr. Charlotte Reading, Director of the Centre for Aboriginal Health Research. On March 5th, Dr. Jeff Reading will present a lecture on how diabetes is affecting Indigenous peoples’ health as they shift from a traditional to Western diet and more sedentary lifestyle. Event details: Café Scientifique: Fall and fire prevention among older Aboriginal people l March 3 l 4:00-6:00pm l First Peoples House Ceremonial Hall Global Indigenous Public Health: An opportunity for Canada l March 5 l 12:00-1:00pm l Human and Social Development Bldg Room B202

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Is cyber-aggression always bullying? Are there things about communicating online that make it easier to be aggressive and bully others? On March 4th a panel of community and university experts including UVic researcher Kevin Runions will explore these questions. Audience members are encouraged to share their perspectives and opinions on how we should respond as a society to this disturbing problem. This event is organzied by the Centre for Youth and Society and is moderated by the centre director, Dr. Anne Marshall. Removing the digital mask l March 4 l 4:30-6:00pm l Human and Social Development Bldg A240

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What can we learn about conflict resolution and peacemaking from different cultural beliefs and practices? What does reconciliation look like from different cultural perspectives? How do these compare with Western approaches to respecting individual and collective human rights? Join a panel of experts from across #UVic as they explore a range of diverse cultural and philosophical approaches to conflict resolution and peacemaking and their application to human and Indigenous rights, social justice and relational ethics. This event is co-presented by the Centre for Global Studies POLIS Project on Ecological Governance, UVic’s Equity and Human Rights Office, Uvic’s Social Justice Studies Program and the International Society of Ethnobiology. Cultural Traditions on peace and conflict for social justice, human rights and relational ethics l March 6 l 1:30-3:30pm l David Turpin Bldg A104

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Rugby World Cup phenomenon Adam Kleeberger joins #Uvic #Ideafest panel on the impacts, diagnosis and treatments of sports related concussions. Whether it's the concussions suffered by professional athletes or our increasing awareness of how these injuries affect children and youth in amateur sport, the information we receive on this growing issue is often incomplete. Medical and research specialists will lead an interactive discussion on the current effectiveness of concussion assessment and diagnosis, the risks of repeat injury and some of the ground-breaking advances in concussion treatment being led by the University of Victoria. Speaker: Adam Kleeberger Panelists: (Dr. Alex Henri-Bhargava (Behavioural Neurologist at UBC) Dr. Brian Christie (UVic Division of Medical Sciences) Dr. Steve Martin (UVic Sports Medicine Physician) and Dr. Chand Taneja (Board Certified Clinical Neuropsychologist). If you are a parent, coach, or player you will not want to miss this event. Space is limited, please RSVP to [email protected] Heads Up! What you really need to know about concussions l March 4 l 7:00-9:00pm l Bob Wright Centre B150

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This fun and informative tree walk attracted hundreds of participants last year. Hosted by UVic’s Centre for Forest Biology, this year’s walk involves an hour long amble through campus where you will get to know some of the over 40 tree species located at UVic. Here, there be giants! A campus tree walk with UVic’s Centre for Forest Biology l March 6 l 12noon-1:00pm l Tour starts at First Peoples House

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Are Canadians sharing too much information online? In the age of social media and e-commerce, it is virtually impossible to not create a digital footprint. On March 5th, you can join the discussion as we look at Canada’s privacy laws and what personal information should or should not be shared over the Internet. A panel moderated by Dave Obee, Editor-in-Chief of the Times Colonist includes Elizabeth Denham, Information and Privacy Commissioner of BC, Colin Bennett, Professor of Political Science, Micheal Vonn from the BC Civil Liberties Association, Mark Fenton of the Vancouver Police Department. Privacy in the cyber world: Your digital footprint! l March 5 l 7:00-9:00pm l David Turpin Building A120

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UVic experts will provide the latest in fitness and health research at #ideafest’s Fit to Be Tried event, March 6th 7-9pm. Faculty and students from The School of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education will present cutting edge research findings in a series of rapid fire & interactive talks on how to maximize your health through fitness, sport, recreation, exercise science & rehabilitation. Presentations include: PLUGGED IN – emerging technology to motivate physical activity, measure movement and support active living, sporting excellence and rehabilitation Power down for a day – the power of stepping away from electronics for just one day Power up for 30 a day – ideas for stepping up physical activity to just 30 minutes each day. Healthy by Nature – getting outside for health benefits Pawsitively fit: dogs and physical activity

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PechaKucha comes to #IdeaFest! For the uninitiated: PechaKucha is a stripped down presentation format that packs a huge punch as an exercise in pace and visual content. Each 7-ish minute presentation is comprised of 20 images spoken to for 20 seconds each—a format invented by architects Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham because, well, architects talk too much. And so do many researchers. So this style is the perfect way to make big ideas accessible in a concise, visual way. Three events in the 2014 IdeaFest roster have taken up this format and they all look amazing: PechaKucha film screenings l March 5 l 4:30-6:30pm l MacLaurin Bldg David Lam Auditorium PechaKucha Biomedica & Poster Social l March 6 l 3:00-4:30pm l Bob Wright Centre B150 Old Knowledge in New Machines: Recent work in digital literary studies l March 6 l 5:15:6:00pm l Hickman 116

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Let’s get political! Get ready for rousing debates at this year’s #ideafest on the Quebec Values Charter, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and a showcase of student-led political science research. Exploration in politics: New directions in graduate research l March 4 l 2:30-4:00pm l TEF 170 Four good reasons to commit sociology: A response to Prime Minister Harper l March 4 l 7:00-9:00pm l Hickman 105 Democracy, religion and toleration: Lessons from the Charter of Quebec Values l March 4 l 7:00-9:00pm l Fraser 152 Photo (detail) by Gerry Lauzon via Creative Commons

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Have you ever wanted to look at the stars through a 32 inch telescope, see what’s happening below our oceans via an underwater observatory, find out the latest in health research or take a look under the hood of UVic’s EcoCAR? From March 3 – 7 take a tour of the research centres and labs across UVic’s campus and enter to win prizes! For a full listing of the dates, times and labs involved in the tour please click here To recommend this Ideafest event to a friend, click here: Research Around the Ring

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This year Centre for Addictions Research of BC at UVic is bringing six events to IdeaFest that showcase their efforts in promoting a healthier society through innovative research in substance abuse and addiction issues. CARBC’s events range from exploring the possible role of cannabis as an exit drug from more dangerous substance abuse, to the increased popularity of e-cigarettes and a look at how we educate youth about drug use in our schools. Rethinking drug education in the school setting l March 3 l 12:30-1:15pm l David Strong Building C130 Examining the cannabis substitution effect l March 3 l 4:30-5:30pm l David Strong Building C112 Marion Bridge film screening l March 3 l 6:30-9:00pm l Eric Martin Pavilion at the Royal Jubilee Hospital E-cigarettes: What’s the buzz? l March 4 l 4:30-5:30pm l David Strong Building C112 Alcohol use and post-secondary education: Do settings and timing matter? l March 5 l 12:30-1:15pm l Cornett A129 Fostering participation in systematic responses and strategies to end homelessness l March 6 l 12:30-1:30pm l Cornett B135